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Thorp Reed & Armstrong's Lourdes Sanchez Ridge is Honored with Women of Achievement Award

Ms. Sanchez Ridge was one of 21 prominent women in the Pittsburgh community honored at the 5th Annual Women of Achievement Awards Dinner, "A Celebration of Women's History Month," held on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at the Omni William Penn in downtown Pittsburgh. This year's event benefits Cribs for Kids, a national infant safe sleep program founded in Pittsburgh in 1998. District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala and his wife Mary Zappala returned to Chair and sponsor the event.

"We are very proud of Lourdes' recognition as one of this year's Women of Achievement for her accomplishments in law as well as her contributions to the entire Pittsburgh community," said Kevin L. Colosimo, Partner and Thorp Reed's International Law Practice Group Leader. "The passion and dedication she displays in her practice is mirrored in all of the activities and causes she pursues, particularly the welfare of women and families, with a special emphasis on the Hispanic community. We are honored to have her on our team."

Ms. Sanchez Ridge serves as Senior Counsel with Thorp Reed's International Law Practice Group where her practice includes commercial litigation with a strong focus on white collar defense. She has handled domestic and international fraud litigations, including securities, bankruptcy and health care fraud. She has lectured and handled issues relating to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and domestic bribery. Prior to joining Thorp Reed Ms. Sanchez Ridge served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Washington D.C. and an Assistant State Attorney in Miami, Florida.

Ms. Sanchez Ridge has established herself as an advocate for women, families, and the Hispanic community in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Ms. Sanchez Ridge is President of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and she played a significant role in the formation of the Hispanic Bar Committee of the Allegheny County Bar Association. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the Community College of Allegheny County Educational Foundation, as well as a board member of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. She sat on the Committee for the Governor's Conference on Women and was a member of the Women Economic Development Outreach committee. She was appointed by Former Governor Ridge to the Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs where she served as Commissioner. In addition, she has served in leadership positions for a variety of community organizations, including FamilyLinks, where she was Chairperson, the Holy Family Courage House Award Committee, and the Shuman Juvenile Detention Center.

"Lourdes is a valued member of our firm and this award is well deserved," says Jeff Conn, Managing Partner of Thorp Reed. "Thorp Reed is committed to serving the communities in which we live and work, and we encourage all of our employees to pursue avenues of giving back, using their unique talents to support causes and issues they feel strongly about. This award is representative of Lourdes' efforts and the important work that she does both within the legal field and outside of it. She serves as a model for all of us. On behalf of the entire firm, I'd like to congratulate her on this recognition."

Ms. Sanchez Ridge earned her B.S. from the University of Miami and her J.D. from the University of Florida. Her court admissions include the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State of Florida, and the District of Columbia.

About Thorp Reed & Armstrong

Since 1895, Thorp Reed & Armstrong, LLP has been a premier Pennsylvania-based law firm, which has grown to include additional offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Princeton, New Jersey, and Wheeling, West Virginia in addition to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Earning the respect, trust and appreciation of clients, peers, and those who live in our communities, Thorp Reed & Armstrong attorneys have gained a reputation as lawyers who exemplify the profession's best qualities. The firm supports a wide variety of clients' needs within the practice areas of business law, litigation, labor and commercial and public finance.

For more information on Thorp Reed & Armstrong, call 1-800-221-7029 or visit www.thorpreed.com.

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